A prominent Jewish rights group is demanding an apology from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for making what it calls anti-Semitic comments, even though the president did not directly mention Jews.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center said Wednesday it has sent a letter to Mr. Chavez condemning remarks he made on December 24.

The Jewish rights group says during a celebration of the Christian holiday Christmas, Mr. Chavez referred to "the descendants of the same people who crucified Christ" saying they "have taken over all the wealth of the world."

Mr. Chavez did not specifically mention people of the Jewish faith. But the Simon Wiesenthal Center condemned the remarks, saying those two arguments have long been used to justify the persecution of Jews.